Tun M a long-time partner of China — ambassador
KUALA LUMPUR: China has never questioned the friendship and mutual trust with Malaysia under the new government led by Pakatan Harapan.
Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia Bai Tian said he never thought of the PH government as being “against China” nor was the Chinese government offended by Putrajaya’s decision to review its projects here.
“Tun M is a long-time partner of China. He has a track record of being friendly with China.
“We should distinguish between overall bilateral relations with specific projects,” he said at a roundtable with the Malaysian media at the Chinese Embassy here, Thursday.
The ambassador said China’s leader and its people regard Dr Mahathir as a respected leader, and would never forget Dr Mahathir’s initiative in bringing China to the ASEAN table.
“He is the father of today’s robust ASEAN plus China cooperation,” he said.
Bai Tian said Dr Mahathir’s participation at the upcoming 2nd Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRI Summit) would enable the Prime Minister to exchange views with other leaders on the Chinese initiative.
Dr Mahathir is also expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang on an official meeting where they are expected to exchange views on bilateral cooperation, especially in the context of Malaysia-China 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
This will be Dr Mahathir’s 10th official visit to China, the second for his second time in office.
“This visit will be a very pleasant, successful and fruitful visit,” Bai Tian said.
The Prime Minister is also scheduled to meet with Chinese businesses to discuss investment opportunities in Malaysia.
Several memoranda of understanding (MoU) is expected to be signed on the sidelines of the forum, including on the palm oil.